Chapter 359
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 359
Chapter Title: The Moving Northern Yeon
Men clad in plain martial robes.
They stared at Cha Ryong and Ban Go, visible beyond the walls of the Golden Army headquarters, their faces etched with bewilderment.
One man in a blue robe revealed his anger.
“They’ve already surrendered, haven’t they? How can anyone call those two captured prisoners?”
“It does seem that way.”
“If they surrendered, they’ve probably already spilled everything. What’s the point of killing them now?”
“Hmm…….”
The man in white let out a low breath, his gaze steadying. The sight of them sharing food, drink, and even conversing with Yi Hwan was suspicious to anyone who saw it.
“If they’ve already talked, there’s no reason to risk our lives to kill them. Let’s just head back.”
“Our lord commanded us to kill Cha Ryong without fail. We must obey that order. Enough with the second-guessing.”
“But…….”
“Enough.”
The man in blue shut his mouth at the white-robed man’s icy demeanor.
In truth, the white-robed man was just as perplexed. As the blue-robed man said, if Cha Ryong had leaked information, there was no need to stake their lives.
But Jo Yun was the problem.
If they returned without carrying out the order, he wouldn’t forgive them. Worse, if Cha Ryong had been turned by the enemy, Jo Yun would demand they kill him all the more—and punish them for simply turning back.
That was the kind of man Jo Yun was.
‘Damn it…….’
Crunch.
The white-robed man bit his lip and turned away.
“We’ll go back for now and ask everyone’s opinion.”
“Understood.”
* * *
On the roof of the palace where the white- and blue-robed men had vanished.
Two men watched from there. Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan.
Kim Mu-gwan muttered with a smile.
“Did the Great Prince anticipate even this and keep them lingering there?”
“Of course. Otherwise, he’d never serve meat and wine to a man whose spirit hasn’t been broken. Anyway, they saw them drinking and talking with the Great Prince, so their minds must be in turmoil now. They’ll suspect Cha Ryong’s will has been broken.”
“You think they’ll just go back?”
“Have you dealt with them only once or twice? They’ll come charging back to kill them, no doubt.”
Snicker.
“Then all that’s left is to wait for them to return and finish them off. Let’s wait.”
That was when Yi Hwan appeared from behind.
The two bowed their heads to him.
“How did it go?”
“We watched them just in time to see your presence there, my lord. Their expressions looked quite troubled. We’ll take care of them if they come back.”
“Anyone bold enough to target men inside headquarters won’t be pushovers. No room for carelessness.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“By the way, Great Prince.”
“What?”
“Did you plan for this situation from the start?”
“Let’s call it a bonus.”
“What’s the other reason?”
“It’s more effective if they break on their own. I believe it’ll happen soon.”
Grin.
Kim Mu-gwan smirked as if he’d expected as much.
“I’m thinking of taking them to the market streets tomorrow.”
“The market streets?”
“To make it easier for Jo Yun’s assassins to approach.”
“Then we can deal with them then.”
Yi Hwan nodded silently and turned away.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”
“Yes.”
“Yessir!”
* * *
“Someone was watching us. Men sent by your lord?”
At Cha Ryong’s words, Ban Go nodded.
“If it’s them, they’d have come already. But this isn’t a place they can just barge into, so they’re probably biding their time.”
Cha Ryong’s eyes darkened ominously.
In truth, he was still half-doubting whether Jo Yun had truly ordered his death.
But the moment he sensed they were being watched, his resolve began to waver. If they’d come to rescue him, they would’ve signaled somehow.
“You…… still don’t fully believe me, do you?”
“…….”
“Why would I lie? It’s true, so believe me.”
Cha Ryong silently brought the wine jar to his lips.
Gulp, gulp!
Thud!
“Damn it…….”
That was when Yang Chan entered.
Cha Ryong glanced at him once, then brought the jar back to his lips.
“This tax is basically the blood and tears of Yeon Kingdom’s people, so drink it sparingly.”
As Cha Ryong glared, Ban Go quickly intervened.
“What brings you here twice today?”
“We’re heading to the market streets tomorrow, so keep that in mind.”
“Why the market streets?”
“Looks like someone’s planning to treat you to something tasty. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
Yang Chan left.
Ban Go pulled a chair over to Cha Ryong’s side and sat cautiously.
“You going?”
“Where.”
“To the market streets.”
“…….”
Cha Ryong, lost in thought for a moment, suddenly stood and headed to his room.
“I’m sleeping. Don’t wake me.”
“……Got it.”
* * *
The next morning.
Yi Hwan received an unexpected report.
“They say they won’t go to the market streets.”
“Reason?”
“He said not to use him. Seems he’s caught on.”
Yi Hwan gave a faint smile at Yang Chan’s report.
“Not bad. I underestimated them. I thought without inner energy, they wouldn’t notice.”
Cha Ryong and Ban Go were unable to circulate qi due to a special qi-sealing poison Yang Chan had administered.
Thus, he’d assumed they wouldn’t detect assassins watching from a distance. But even without qi, their beast-like senses remained sharply honed.
Yang Chan asked cautiously.
“Do you really plan to turn him?”
“If possible, that’d be best. Even if not, if he opens up willingly, the information’s reliability goes up.”
Yi Hwan grabbed his outer robe and stood.
“Heading to the palace?”
“Meeting the Qin Kingdom’s envoy delegation. Things might wrap up today.”
Yi Hwan stepped outside and mounted his red horse instead of a carriage. Go Mi headed to the Imperial Palace with him.
Yang Chan watched Yi Hwan pass through the headquarters gates, frowning slightly.
‘Just what is my lord’s true face?’
In truth, Yang Chan still questioned Yi Hwan’s attitude toward Cha Ryong.
From what he’d observed, Yi Hwan should’ve used drugs or whatever to pry Cha Ryong’s mouth open by now. Even more puzzling was that he wasn’t pressing Ban Go, who seemed ready to spill everything if asked.
“What’re you thinking so hard about?”
Ju Tae approached.
“Nothing.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing.”
Snicker.
Yang Chan smirked wryly.
“Heading to the smithy. Coming along?”
“Why the smithy?”
“Got a request for a guy named Han Jo.”
“Asking him to forge a sword?”
“The one I’ve been using seems to be losing durability, so I’ll need a new one.”
“Well, then let’s go together.”
* * *
Yi Hwan sat face-to-face with the head of the Qin Kingdom’s envoy delegation.
Yi Hwan wore his usual impassive expression, while the envoy head showed faint signs of anxiety.
Not even ten days in the Yeon Kingdom’s Imperial Palace, yet the man’s face was half-gaunt from the heavy burden.
“Did you get the Qin Emperor’s approval?”
“Yes. So we’ll follow the Great Prince’s will. But could you perhaps reduce the amount of iron you want just a bit?”
“Can’t reduce the iron. In exchange, I won’t ask for more gold, silver, or horses.”
“……Pardon?”
“Surely you didn’t think I’d take just the iron and leave those out?”
“Ah, no. Then let’s do that.”
The envoy head bowed, closing his eyes tightly. As Yi Hwan said, he’d assumed they’d take only the iron and skip the gold, silver, and horses.
“Moon Lord, come in.”
Go Mi entered.
“Prepare the documents.”
“Understood.”
Soon, Go Mi and the envoy head began drafting. Yi Hwan watched silently.
When it was done, he spoke.
“Our troops will depart for the Stone Gate tomorrow. They’ll wait there and transport the iron as it’s produced. You can measure the amounts together, right?”
“You mean take the iron first?”
“Not first—simultaneously. Don’t worry. Northern Yeon will move before we even haul the iron.”
“We trust you’ll keep your word, Great Prince. We trust and trust again.”
“Yeon doesn’t lie.”
“…….”
Yi Hwan turned to Go Mi.
“Send a messenger to Northern Yeon.”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Now that we’ve settled what we each want, how about a drink together?”
“Let’s do that.”
The envoy’s face finally brightened. It felt a bit excessive, but securing Yeon’s aid was enough.
Perhaps from the tension release? He felt a slight dizziness.
“You alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
* * *
Whoooosh!
A fierce wind carrying dust swept across the vast northern plains.
Two riders galloped endlessly across it.
Thud thud thud!
A woman led, while the man chasing her wore a grin. It was Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon.
Tae Seon glanced back with a bright smile.
“Your horsemanship’s improving!”
“Wait up. I’ll catch you soon enough.”
“Hmph! It’ll take you years!”
“What a discouraging thing to say. Hya!”
Thud thud thud!
The two raced southward across the plains.
How much longer they rode, a military camp soon came into view.
Tents stretched from one end of the plains to the other, a grand sight. It was the closest point to the Zhao Kingdom border.
“Her Highness the Princess returns! Open the gates!”
“Open the gates!”
Thud thud thud!
Northern Yeon’s warriors cheered as the two passed through the gates.
Entering the camp, they headed straight for their tent. Though not yet formally wed, they were already accepted as husband and wife and shared quarters.
Snort!
As they handed their warhorses to the warriors and approached the tent,
“Your Highness!”
A general hurried over. Northern Yeon’s fierce warrior, Gwi Rang.
“What is it?”
“The Great Prince sent a letter.”
“The Great Prince?”
Startled, Tae Seon quickly unfolded it. Cheol Mu-ok peered over her shoulder.
As they read, their eyes grew fervent. Finishing, they exchanged smiles.
“The Great Prince has finally called for us?”
“Let’s hurry.”
“Got it.”
Tae Seon turned to Gwi Rang.
“Prepare the full army for mobilization.”
“Heading down to Zhao Kingdom?”
Gwi Rang’s eyes, belonging to a war hawk, blazed. But Tae Seon’s reply disappointed him.
“We’ll go only to the neutral zone for now.”
“……Understood!”
Gwi Rang departed.
Tae Seon hugged Cheol Mu-ok’s arm.
“Let’s go in. We need to prepare first.”
“Alright.”
Moments later, Cheol Mu-ok and Tae Seon emerged in armor. Unexpectedly, it matched the style worn by Yeon Kingdom generals.
Whoooosh!
The wind swept over them.
“Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”